Bottles and the method and apparatus for forming them

ABSTRACT

Improved methods and apparatus are disclosed for blowing, filling and hermetically sealing bottles having end closures such as caps which can be easily removed and thereafter used to reclose or reseal the bottles.

United States Patent Gerhard ll. Weller Des Phlnes;

Henry Komendowski, Evanslon, both of. III

[72] Inventors May 28, 1969 Aug. 10, 197I Automatic Liquid Packaging,Inc. Elk Grove Vllage, III.

[54] BOTTLES AND THE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING THEM 20 Clllms, 43Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl

[ZI Appl. No. [22] Filed [45] Patented [73] Assignee 18/5 BF, [8/5 BM[51] Int. Cl B29c 1/00 [50] Field of Search 18/5 BF, 5 BM, 5 B2 [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,325,860 6/1967 Hansen 18/5 BF3.330.006 7/1967 Jenkins l8/5 BZ Primary Examiner-Gil WeidenfeldAttorney- Dominik. Knechtel 8L Godula ABSTRACT: Improved methods andapparatus are disclosed for blowing, filling and hermetically sealingbottles having end closures such as caps which can be easily removed andthereafter used to reclose or reseal the bottles.

Patented Aug. 10, 1971 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG- 3 FIG. 4

FIG. 2

FIG. 1

FIG. I

FIG. 6

FIG. 8

INVENTORS Gerhard H. Wei/er Henry Kamendowski Patented Aug. 10, 1971 6Sheets-Sheet 2 .FIG. IO

FIG. I!

FIG. I6

FIG. '8

INVENTORS Gerhard H. Wei/er BY Henry Kamenaowski 043m; 1444/ 41 Arr s.

Patented Aug. 10, 1971 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. I9

FIG. 22

INVENTORS FIG. 23

m H. I W KA hr 2 0 Y B Patented Aug. 10, 1971 3,597,793

6 Sheets-Sheet 4.

FIG. 25 FIG- 2.?

FIG. 30

INVENTORS Gerhard H. Wei/er BY Henry Komendowski Affys.

Patented Aug. 10, 1971 3,597,793

6 Sheets-Sheet FIG. 39

FIG. 42

IN V/ NTURS @rimm' H Wei/er H nry Knrnendowski Alive BOTTLES AND THEMETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING THEM This invention relates to improvedmethods and apparatus for blowing, filling and hermetically sealingbottles with a single piece of equipment. More particularly, it relatesto improved blown bottles and to the methods and apparatus for formingthem. These improved blown bottles can be formed with easily removable,integrally formed caps which can be used to reseal the bottles once thelatter have been opened.

Many various different types of blown plastic bottles presently areavailable, however, most of them are hermetically sealed by means of anend closure or cap which is removed by severing it with a knife or thelike. Once severed, the bottle remains open since there is no provisionmade for reclosing or sealing the bottle. Still others have threadsintegrally formed on a neck portion thereof, and a separate cap isprovided for closing or sealing the bottle by threading the cap onto thethreaded neck portion. All of these prior arrangements are satisfactory,for one purpose or another. Recently, however, a demand for bottleshaving integrally formed caps for reclosing or rescaling the bottles hasoccurred. In other words, a demand for a bottle which can be blown,filled and hermetically sealed with an end closure ofa type which can beremoved and thereafter used to reclose or reseal the bottle once it isopened. The improved bottles of the present invention satisfy thisdemand.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide new andimproved methods and apparatus for blowing, filling and hermeticallysealing bottles, the latter being provided with end closures such ascaps which can be easily removed and thereafter used to reclose orreseal the bottles.

Another object is to provide new and improved bottles of the abovedescribed type.

Still another object is to provide improved bottles of theabove-described type wherein the end closures are integrally formedtherewith during the blowing, filling and hermetically sealingoperation.

A still further object is to provide improved methods and apparatus forforming bottles of this last-described type.

In some cases, it is desirable to form these bottles of a sub stantiallystrong plastic material which cannot be easily severed to remove thecaps integrally formed therewith. Accordingly, still another object isto provide an improved cap removing device for removing the caps in afashion such as to prevent any of the bottled material from accidentallyentering the bottle or the contents thereof, and such that the capsstill can be used to reclose the bottle.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1-4 are partial sectional views generally illustrating the methodof forming, filling and sealing bottles according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view illustrating the molding ap' paratusfor forming the bottle of FIGS. I and [1;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the neck jaw of the molding apparatus ofFIG.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view like FIG. 5. illustrating the hollowtube disposed therein during the forming and filling of the bottle;

FIG. 10 is a side plan view of a bottle formed with the moldingapparatus ofFIGS. 5 and 9;

FIG. 11 is a partial view of the top of the bottle of FIG. [0,illustrating the manner in which its cap can be affixed thereto toreclose it, after the cap is severed;

FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view of molding apparatus adapted to forma cap on a bottle generally ofthc construction illustrated in FIG. 13;

III

FIG. 13 is a partial plan view, partially sectionalized, of a bottleformed with the molding apparatus of FIG. I2;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the neck jaw thread forming insert of themolding apparatus of FIG. 12',

FIG. I5 is a sectional view taken along lines 15-15 of FIG. 14;

FIG. I6 is a bottom plan view of the thread forming insert of FIGS. I4and 15;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the lower cap forming member of themolding apparatus of FIG. I2;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along lines 18-18 of FIG. I7;

FIG. I9 is a partial sectional view of molding apparatus adapted to forma bottle of the construction illustrated in FIG. 20.

FIG. 20 is a partial side plan view ofa bottle having a corkscrew-typeclosure top, the same being formed with the molding apparatus of FIG.19;

FIG. 21 is atop plan view ofone member of the neck jaw assembly of themolding apparatus of FIG. I9;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along lines 22-22 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a partial view of a mandrel and a neck jaw for forming anannular groove on the interior of a bottle for weakening the latter topermit the cap and said bottle to be severed therefrom;

FIG. 24 is a partial view of still another mandrel and neck jaw forforming an annular angularly disposed flange between the neck portion ofa bottle and the cap integrally formed therewith for permitting thelatter to be severed from the bot- FIG. 24a is an enlarged partialsectional view illustrating the flange formed by the apparatus of FIG.24;

FIG. 25 is a top plan view ofa neck jaw assembly adapted to providequarter threads on the neck portion ofa bottle;

FIG. 26 is a sectional view taken along lines 2626 of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a partial side plan view of a mandrel used in conjunctionwith the neck jaw assembly of FIG. 25;

FIG. 28 is an end plan view ofthe mandrel of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a partial side plan view of a bottle having a threaded,closed neck portion;

FIG. 30 is a partial side plan view, partially sectionalized, of thethreaded, closed neck portion of FIG. 29, illustrating a pour spout typecap affixed to it, the latter being adapted to also open the bottle;

FIG. 3] is a partial side plan view illustrating a bottle having a capwith a twist-off opener affixed to it;

FIG. 32 is a view similar to FIG. 31; generally illustrating the mannerin which the twist-off opener can be used to reclose the bottle;

FIG. 33 is a partial sectional view ofa mandrel which can be used toprovide quarter threads on the neck portion of a bottle.

FIGS. 34 and 35 are end views of the mandrel of FIG. 33, illustratingthe flexible fingers thereof in an extended and retracted position,respectively;

FIGS. 36 and 37 are sectional views taken along lines 36-36 of FIG. 33.illustrating the flexible fingers of the mandrel of FIG. 33 in aretracted and an extended position, respectively;

FIG. 38 is a sectionalized partial side view of a mandrel which isaxially offset with respect to the axis of the main bottle forming mold;

FIG. 39 is a top plan view of a cap removing device exemplary oftheinvention;

FIG. 40 is a sectional view of the cap removing device of FIG. 39, takenalong lines 40-40 of FIG. 39;

FIG. 4i is a top plan view of the cap removing device of FIG. 39,illustrating the same in an open position; and

FIG. 42 is a side view generally illustrating the manner in which thecap removing device is affixed to a bottle to remove the cap thereon.

Similar reference characters refer to similar throughout the severalviews of the drawings.

parts Referring now to the drawings, in FIGS. 1-4, there is illus tratedapparatus for blowing, filling and hermetically sealing bottles. Thisapparatus 10 is generally like that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,325,860to Gerhard Hansen, and includes an extruder 12, a two-piece mold 14including mold halves 14a and [4b, a holding jaw 16 including jaw halves16a and 16b, :1 head jaw l8 including jaw halves 18a and 18b. a cuttingupparatus 20, and a composite filling and blow tube 22. For a full anddetailed description of the apparatus 10, reference can be made to theabove-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,325,860. Generally, however, theoperation is as follows. A parison in the form of a hollow tube 24 isextruded by the extruder 12, between the mold halves 14a and 14b. Whenthe parison or tube 24 is of the required length, the mold halves 14aand [4b are closed. The lower end of the tube 24 is pinched closed bythe mold, and its upper end is positioned and held by the holding jaw16, through the application of vacuum applied thereto, and is separatedby the cutting apparatus 20, which may be a heated wire. A mold carriage(not shown) moves the mold 14, the holding jaw l6 and the head jaw 18into position for shaping, filling and sealing the bottle.

To fill the bottle, the mandrel 28 of the composite filling, blowing andnotching tube 22 moves into the conical neck part 26, and the hotplastic tube 24 is inflated by a burst of compressed air and pressedagainst the walls of the mold [4. At the same time, a precisely meteredquantity of the product being bottled fills the bottle via a fillingchannel (not shown) in the mandrel 28 by a precise metering machine (notshown). The air used for inflating or blowing the bottle is dischargedto the outside through an air discharge duct (not shown). As soon as theproduct hits the plastic walls, the bottle solidifies.

The mandrel 28 is raised, and the jaw halves 18a and 18b of the head jaw18 are closed by means of two cylinders (not shown). The head jaw 18forms and seals the upper bottle head, and thereafter the mold 14, thehead jaw 18 and the holding jaw 16 all open. The filled and hermeticallysealed bottles leave the apparatus via a bottle dropout chute (notshown).

The entire operation takes about as much time as the conventional blowmolding of an empty plastic bottle, hence it is apparent that numerousadvantages are provided. The com lete packaging cycle can be keptsterile so that the system can be used in the pharmaceutical industry aswell as in other industries to package or bottle items such as fruitjuices, edible oils, vinegar, milk, laundry or dishwashing detergents,floor care liquids, cleansers, dyes, machine oils, bubble baths andshampoos, to mention but a few of the whole host ofitems which can bebottled. Many thermoplastic materials can be used including low and highdensity polyethylene, including MPE 212 polyethylene produced byMonsanto, polypropylene, polycarbonate acetate, and GEON and ABS, sothat virtually any type of flowable product can be packaged or bottled,in acompatible material.

As indicated above, a demand for bottles having integrally formed capsfor reclosing or rescaling the bottles has developed, which demandprobably is due to the wide range of products which now can be packagedor bottled with the above-described apparatus. In FIGS. 10 and 11, thereis illustrated one such bottle 30 having a cap 32 integrally formedthereon, which cap can be removed and thereafter can be snap fitted withan annular recessed groove 33 on the bottle, to reclose or reseal thelatter.

The bottle 30 is formed, filled and sealed, in the manner describedabove, however, a specially designed neck jaw and mandrel is employed,to form the neck portion and the cap of the bottle. As can be seen inFIGS. 5--9, the mold l4 includes insert halves 35a and 3515, each ofwhich, for ease of construction, is formed of three members which areaffixed together to provide a unitary structure. Obviously, if desired,each of the insert halves can be machined as an integral unit. In thiscase also, the insert halves 35a and 35b are removably fixedly securedto respective ones of the,mold halves 14a and 14b, so as to close withthe latter when they are closed.

The neck members 360 and 36b each comprise one-half of an annularring-shaped bottle neck mold, and the molding surfaces 37a and 37bthereof are contoured to provide the desired shaped to the neck portionof the bottle 30. In particular, a substantially pointed annularprojecting rib 38 is formed on the molding surfaces 370 and 37b, whichrib 38 provides the annular recessed groove 33 on the neck portion ofthe molded bottle. The lower cap forming members 390 and 39b likewiseeach comprise one-half of an annular ring-shaped mold for forming thelower or body portion of the cap 32 which is integrally formed with thebottle 30. This lower or body portion ultimately is closed andhermetically sealed by the upper or top cap forming members 40a and 40bwhich also comprise one-half of an annular ring-shaped mold forcompleting the cap 32, respectively, in a manner described more fullybelow. These upper or top cap forming members 400 and 40!; areadjustably and slidably affixed to the head jaws 18 a and 18!),respectively, and are closed independently of the latter by aircylinders or the like (not shown) to complete the cap 32 on the bottle30.

The lower cap forming members 39a and 39b have molding surfaces 4la and41b which merge with and constitute an extension of the molding surfaces37a and 37b, and molding surfaces 42a and 42b which form an annularflat, horizontally disposed ledge or shelf 43 that intersects themolding surfaces 410 and 41b at substantially a right angle. Moldsurfaces 44a and 44b form the sidewalls of the cap 32 and, as can bebest seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the mold surfaces have recessed elongatedcavities 45 formed in them. These cavities 45 provide the serrations 46(FIG. 10) on the sidewalls of the cap 32 which permit the cap to be moreeasily gripped and twisted to remove it.

A number of vacuum ducts 53 preferably are provided in the jaw halves35a and 35b, the neck members 360 and 36b, and the lower cap formingmembers 39a and 39b so that vacuum can be used to assist in forming theneck portion and the lower or body portion of the cap 32 during theforming and filling of the bottle 30. To this end, an annular projectingrib 49 is formed about the mold surfaces 44a and 44b, at the top edgethereof, to improve vacuum holding and forming. All of the cavities 45are disposed below this rib 49, that is, these cavities do not run tothe top edge of the mold surfaces 440 and 44b, so that a generallysealed mold cavity is provided.

The composite filling and blow tube 22, in this case, includes a spout50 which is adapted to be vertically raised and lowered, and further hasan inlet 51 to which means (not shown) can be affixed for expelling ablast of compressed air into the hollow tube 24 to form the bottle andan inlet 52 to which means (not shown) can be affixed for expelling theproduct into the blown bottle. The spout 50 also is slidably disposedwithin a mandrel 54, and the latter is threadably and adjustably affixedto the spout 50 by means of threads 55 in a fashion such that themandrel 54 can be vertically adjusted in a micrometerlike fashion, withrespect to the spout. Micrometer graduations 56 are provided on themandrel 54 in functional relationship with a pointer 57 affixed to thespout 50, so that accurate adjustments can be easily and quickly made. AIocknut 58 also is provided for locking the mandrel 54 in a fixedposition. An O-ring 59 is provided for scaling, to provide an airtightfit between the spout 50 and the mandrel 54.

The lower end of the mandrel 54 is sufficiently smaller in diameter thanthe inside diameter of the rib 49 so that the hollow tube 24 is slightlypinched between the mandrel and the rib 49 to form a seal to improve thevacuum holding and forming of the neck portion and the cap of the bottle30. Also, the terminal end of the mandrel 54 has a recessed cavity 60having a downwardly and outwardly tapered wall 61 formed in it, in afashion such as to provide a downwardly depending substantially pointedflange 62. This flange 62 in cooperation with the ledge or shelf 43provides an annular groove 64 in the interior surface of the inwardlyextending lower edge 65 of cap 32, during the forming of the bottle 30,as can be best seen in FIGS. 9 and 10. The mandrel 54 is verticallyadjustably positioned with respect to the ledge 43 to provide a groove64 of a depth which will permit the cap 32 to be removed by severing itat this groove, upon exerting a simultaneous twisting and lifting motionto the cap. The cap should be relatively easily removed, however, at thesame time, the groove 64 should not be such that the seal is easilyaccidentally broken by dropping or otherwise imposing pressure upon it.The depth of the groove 64 also will vary, depending upon the particularplastic material used. Once the latter is chosen, the depth can beeasily determined by running a number of samples and adjusting themandrel until a satisfactory groove is provided.

It may also be noted that the diameter of the mandrel 54 or, morespecifically, that of the flange 62, preferably and advantageously isproportioned so that the inner diameter of the lower edge 65 of the cap,after the latter is severed from the bottle 30, is smaller than thediameter of the neck portion of the bottle at the groove 33. whenfashioned or proportioned in this manner, the cap 32 can be snap-fittedto the neck portion by engaging the lower edge 65 of the cap in groove33, to reseal or reclose the bottle 30, as can be seen in FIG. ll.

In forming, filling and sealing the bottles 30, as indicated above, aparison in the form ofa hollow tube 24 is extruded by the extruder I2,between the mold halves 14a and 14b. When the tube 24 is of the requiredlength, the mold halves [4a and [4b are closed. The lower end of thetube 24 is pinched closed by the mold, and its upper end is positionedand held by the holding jaws 16, through the application of vacuum, andis severed by the cutting apparatus in this case, when the mold halvesI44 and 1412 close. the neck jaw halves a and 35b close with them, topartially form the neck portion of the bottle and the cap 32, thislatter operation being assisted by the application of vacuum, throughthe ducts 53. The neck jaw halves 35a and 35b, as can be seen in FIGS.6-8, have recessed cavities 47 and 48 formed in the abutting edgesthereof into which the plastic of the hollow tube 24 can flow or collectwhen the latter is pinched between them, when the mold halves 14a and14b close A mold carriage (not shown) then moves the mold I4 intoposition, beneath the composite filling, blowing and notching tube 22which, in this case. includes the spout 50 and the mandrel 54, asillustrated in FIGS. 5 and 9. As the latter are moved verticallydownwardly into the top end of the severed tube 24, as can be best seenin FIG 9, the tube 24 is slightly pinched between the mandrel 54 and therib 49 so as to seal the mold cavity to assist the vacuum forming of theneck portion of the bottle. This action, in combination with thedownwardly depending flange 62 embedding into the plastic to form thegroove 64, completely seals the interior of the tube 24. The blast ofcompressed air which is injected into the hollow tube 24 thereforeforces or blows the hollow tube 24 so that the latter assumes the shapeof the mold cavity in the mold 14. The blown bottle now is filled withthe product, via the spout 50, and then the filing and blowing tube 22is raised to remove it from the open end of the hollow tube 24. Theupper or top cap forming members a and 40b now are closed, to completethe forming of the cap 32 on the bottle 30. The finished bottle 30 isillustrated in FIG 10, and it can be seen that the cap 32 integrallyformed with it hermetically seals the bottle.

To remove the cap 32, the latter is gripped between the fingers and bysimultaneously twisting and raising the cap, it can be caused to severat the groove 64 formed in its lower inwardly extending edge 65. Asindicated above, the diameters of this edge 65 where it severs at thegroove 64 and'that of the groove 33 formed in the neck portionpreferably and advantageously are proportioned so that the edge 65 willsnap fit into the groove 33 to affix the cap 32 to the bottle 30, toreseal or reclose the bottle In F IG. [3, there is illustrated the upperend of another hottle 70 having a cap 72 integrally formed with it,which cap 72 is adapted to be removed and to thereafter be threaded ontothe neck portion 73 of the bottle to reseal or reclose it. The cap 72can be provided with an interior groove like the groove 64 describedabove, by using a mandrel similar to the mandrel 54 or, alternatively,the cap 72 can be provided with an exterior groove 74, as illustrated.In the latter case, a mandrel 75 and a neck jaw 76 of the typeillustrated in FIGS. [2 and l4- 18 are used.

The neck jaw 76 likewise comprises jaw halves 76a and 76, each of which,for ease of construction, is formed of a neck forming member 77 and alower cap forming member 78 affixed together to form a unitary member,however, as in the case of the head jaw 18, they could be formed asintegral members, if desired. Also, the neck forming members 77a and 77bpreferably are each formed with a thread forming insert 79a and 79b sothat the threads provided on the neck portion of the bottle can beeasily varied. The neck forming member 77 and the lower cap fonningmember 78 are removably attired to the mold 14 so that they open andclose with the latter, and upper cap forming members 80:: and 80b areadjustably slidably afi'ixed atop the lower cap forming members 780 and78b. These upper cap forming members 800 and 80b are operated to openand close them, by means of air cylinders or the like (not shown;independently of the mold l4 and the member 77 and 78 affixed to it.Vacuum ducts 84 again are provided to assist in forming the neck portion73 and the cap 72 on the bottle 70.

The neck forming member 77, or more particularly its thread forminginsert 79, as can be best seen in FIGS 14 and I5, is in the form orshape of an annular ring, and the abutting edges thereof have recessedcavities 8t and 82 formed in them for receiving the plastic of thehollow tube 24 pinched between them when the mold 14 is closed. Theinterior sur faces of the inserts 79 have thread cavities 83 formed inthem. which cavities form a continuous thread on the neck portion 73 ofthe finished bottle as shown in FIG. 13.

The lower cap forming members 780 and 786 have a substantiallyvertically disposed mold surface 85 which merges and joins with arecessed cavity or groove 86 Whlt. i m turn flows into anothersubstantially vertically disposed mold sur face 87 The arrangement issuch as to provide a SUbStal'll'l'elll) pointed, upstanding annularflange 88 which functions in con junction with the terminal flat end ofthe mandrel 75 to form the groove 74 in the lower edge flange of the cap72 III the manner described more fully below. As in the case of thelower cap forming member described above, the mold nullatle 87 has anumber of cavities 90 (FIGS. 17 and 18, Ill it for providing serrations9| on the rim of the cap 72. and an annu lar pro ecting rim 92 forimproving the vacuum holding and forming ofthe cap.

The mandrel 75 has a spout 94 slidably affixed herein as describedabove. and the mandrel preferably is adapted to be vertically adjustablypositioned in a micrometer type lashion with respect to the spout 94 andthe edge of the flange 88 The mandrel has a flat surface 95 on itsterminal end Wl'llLl'l cooperates with the flange 88 to form the groove74 in the cap, and its outer periphery is formed of an outwardlytapering conical surface 96 which flows into a flat surface 97 whichconstitutes the major diameter of the mandrel The latter sur face, inturn, flows into an inwardly tapering conical surface 98. It can beseen, in FIG. 13, that this configuration in i nmbination with that ofthe lower cap forming membei 8 results in a thread receiving groove 69in the cap 72, for receiving the threads on the neck portion 73 of thebottle 70, so that the cap can be threadably affixed to the bottle afterit is severed at the groove 74 The latte is accomplished bysimultaneously twisting and lifting the cap 72, until the plastic seversat the groove 74.

As in the above-described operation of the molding ap paratus of FIG. 5.after the bottle 70 is blown and filled, the spout 94 and the mandrel 75are raised to remove them from the open end of the hollow tube 24.Thereafter. the upper cap forming members 800 and 80b are closed, tofinish the top of the cap 72.

In FIG. 19, there is illustrated still another molumg a paratus 100which is adapted to form a bottle I01 partiall shown in FIG 20) having acorkscrew-type closure top I02. The latter is weakened by means of anannular groove I03 formed at the connection point of the top to thebottle, as best seen in FIG. 20,

The molding apparatus 100 includes a split main mold I04 to which isafl'ixed the respective halves of the sealing mold which includes theneck jaw I05 and the upper cap forming member I06 The sealing mold isslidably adjustably affixed to the main mold 104. so as to be operableindependently of the latter to close the top I02, in the mannerdescribed above The mold I04, in this case, is constructed to form boththe bottle I0! and its neck portion I07 Ducts I08 for the application ofvacuum to form the neck portion I07 also preferably are provided in themold 104. The mold 104 has a plate I10 (best seen in FIGS 21 and 22)affixed to it, and together they function to form the groove I03 and thethread portion of the bottle 10!. Vacuum ducts III also are preferablyprovided in the sealing mold, to assist in forming the thread portionofthe closure top,

The plate affixed to the mold I04 has a mold surface I13 which mergeswith the thread forming mold surface in the mold I04 and which tapersinwardly and upwardly so as to form a substantially pointed tip 114. Acavity 113A is provided for plastic to avoid heavy accumulation andobstruction for closure cap entry The abutting edges of the two halvesof the section IIO also are formed to provide cavities I09 for excessplastic pinched between the two halves when the mold closes. The sectionIII is formed with similar cavities (not shown). The molding surface IISof the section III of the neck jaw I05 is aligned with the pointed tipII4, and from the lower edge it tapers upwardly and outwardly so as toform a flat, tapered camming surface I16 (FIG. on the lower end of theclosure top I02 The pointed tip I I4, of course, extends annularly aboutthe molding surface of the mold I04, and is in spaced relation to thetapered wall I18 of the end of the mandrel I19. The mandrel 119 isadapted to be vertically adjustably positioned with respect to the spoutI20 slidably disposed within it, in the manner described above, toadjust the spacing between the wall I18 of the mandrel and the pointedtip II4, to provide a groove I03 of proper depth to permit the closuretop 102 to be severed by twisting it When the hollow tube 24 is pinchedbetween the wall I18 and the pointed tip II4, it also is sealed so thatthe hollow tube can be blown to form the bottle I01, by the blast ofcompressed air emitted through the spout.

After the bottle It)! IS filled with the product, the mandrel I19 andthe spout I20 are vertically retracted from the hollow tube 24.Thereafter, the two halves of the upper cap forming member I06 areclosed, to complete the closure top I02 and to hermetically seal thebottle IOI.

As indicated above. the closure top I02 is severed from the bottle I01by twisting it to cause it to sever at the weakened area formed by thegroove I03. Once removed, the closure top is adapted to be threaded intothe neck portion of the bottle to reclose or reseal it. The cammingsurface 116 permits the end of the severed closure top 102 to be moreeasily inserted and initially threaded to affix the top to the bottle InFIG 23, there is shown an alternative construction for the mandrel andthe neck jaw, for forming a groove, such as the groove 103, on theinterior rather than the exterior of the bottle. In this case, it can beseen that the neck jaw 125 has downwardly and inwardly tapered surfaceI26, and that the mandrel I27 has an annular flange I28 which tapersdownwardly and outwardly to form a pointed tip 129. This pointed tip I29cooperates with the tapered surface 126 to form a groove at the juncturebetween the neck portion of a bottle and the closure top in generallythe same manner as described above, however, in this case. the grooveresults in the interior surface.

In FIG. 24, there is illustrated a mandrel I30 and a neck jaw I3I whichis a combination of the mandrel 54 of FIG. 5 and the neck jaw 76 of HG.I). This combination provides a weakened, angularly disposed flange 132between the'neck portion I33 ofa bottle (not shown) and the integrallyformed closure top 134, as can be besi seen in FIG. 240 which is a partial sectional view of the bottle and the closure top In FIGS 25-28,there is shown a neck aw I38 and a mandrel I39 which is adapted to formquarter threads on the lift it portion of a bottle and on the closuretop integrally formed with it. so that the closure top can be threadedlyaffixed to the bottle to reclose or reseal it. As can be best seen inFIGS 25 and 26, the neck aw I38 has a number (four as illustratedl ofrecessed, angularly disposed, generally rectangularshaped cavitiesformed in it These cavities I40 tormed the quarter threads on the neckportion of the bottle The terminal end I41 of the mandrel I39, as can beseen in FIGS. 27 and 28, is formed with a corresponding number of shapedflanges I42 which, in combination with the ledge 143 and the moldingsurface 144 of the neck aw I38 provide quarter threads on the closuretopi These quarter threads. when the closure top is resecured to thebottle engage and in terlock with the quarter threads on the netkportion of the bottle, in a fashion such that the closure top islockinglv en gaged with the bottle and its top wall is forcibly urged insealing engagement with the upper end of the neck portion The enlargeddiameter portion 145 of the mandrel I39 cooperates with the annular rim146 on the molding surface I44 to form a vacuum chamber, for reasons setforth above In 1 105.29 and 30, there is shown the uppei end iii abottle I47 having a threaded neck portion I48 and a closed liermcti'cally sealed top wall 149 which IS adapted to be opened by means ofapour spout type cap 150. The cap ISO is adapted to be threaded onto theneck portion I48, and it has a conical shaped puncturing nozzle 151which punctures and thereby opens the bottle when the cap is threadedlyaffixed to it The nozzle ISI 15 in communication with a dispensingorifice I 2 formed in the cap, for dispensing the product lroni thehnttle In FIGS 3] and 32 there is shown the upper end of still anotherbottle I53 having a cap 154 to which is integialii at fixed a wingshaped stopper 155 The stopper I55 has a trun cated cone-shaped plug I56which has threads I57 provided on it lor threadedly engaging the plugI56 into the aperture or opening I58 (FIG 32) to reclose the bottle I53after the stopper I55 is severed therefrom. Severance oi he stopper ISaccomplished merely by twisting it, to break the integral formedconnection between the plug I56 and the ap [54 An annularly extendingsealing flange I59 also pv feiahlv is formed about the upper end of theplug I56 for iorming a tight seal with the top of the cap 154,Allbmallvfilt he sealing flange 159 can be replaced with a recessedsealing groove (not shown) In this case. the peripheral edge of theopening I58 in the cap 154 will snap-fit into the sealing groove whenthe plug I56 is fully threaded into the opening.

In FIGSi 3337. there is illustrated a mandrel 160 which is adapted foruse with a mold and a neck jaw generally of the construction shown inFIG. I9, to form a bottle having a neck portion and a severable capwhich is adapted to be threaded exteriorly on the neck portion of thebottle, rather than interi orly thereof, as in the case of the cork-typecap of FIG 20 In the illustrated embodiment, the neck portion of thebottle and the cap have quarter threads formed on them for removablyaffixing the cap to the bottle once the cap has been removed. however,full threads can be provided also.

The mandrel 160 includes a sleeve 161 having threads 162 at its upperend for attachment to means for vertically raising and lowering it. Itslower terminal end is formed to provide a flat seat 163 which cooperateswith an annular upstanding pointed flange 164 on the plate I65, to forman annular groove in the flange portion connecting the cap to thebottle, in substantially the manner described above, which groovepermits the cap to be more easily severed from the bottle. The plate I65generally corresponds to and is affixed to the main mold in the samemanner as the plate Ill) is affixed to the mold 104, of the moldingapparatus I00.

As indicated above, the neck portion of the bottle and the cap havequarter threads formed on them, which quarter threads are adapted tointerlock to securely refix the cap to the bottle. These quarter threadsare formed by means of thread grooves in the neck jaw (not shown)cooperatively related with the main mold, which thread grooves providethe quarter threads generally represented by the reference numeral I71,and by means of thread projections on the necktorming portion of the capmold. One of these latter thread projections I70 is generallyillustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 33, and the threads formed by themare generally illustrated by means of the thread indentations I76. Themanner in which these quarter threads are blown is described more fullybelow.

One difficulty encountered in forming this type of cap for a bottle isin preventing the lower end of the sleeve 16] which, of necessity, mustbe slightly larger in diameter than the neck portion of the bottle inorder to seal the parison so that the bottle can be blown and to formthe annular groove in the flange portion connecting the cap and the neckportion, from engaging and damaging the threads formed in the cap. Thiscan be seen in FIG. 33 where it is apparent that the lower end of thesleeve l6l will engage the interior surface of the thread indentationsI76, if the sleeve is vertically raised. in doing so, normally theplastic material forming the thread is partially scraped off so to forma defective thread. Also, in many cases, the plastic material is left sothin that it is subject to rupturing accidentally.

To avoid any substantial damage to the threads, the sleeve 161 is formedwith a number, four in the illustrated embodiment, of flexible fingers167 which, as can be best seen in FIGS. 34-37, are displaced 90 from oneanother. Slots 168 are formed in the sleeve 16!, so as to form a reducedthickness or width area [69 on each of the fingers for better flexingaction. The flexible fingers I67 also each have a cam surface I72 ontheir exterior surfaces which cooperate with an annular cam surface I73on a cam sleeve I74, to flex these fingers in wardly of the sleeve 161,as can be best seen in FIGS. 33 and 34.

The cam sleeve 174 is concentrically disposed about the sleeve I61, inspaced relationship to it so as to form an air passageway 178 betweenthe sleeve 16! and the cam sleeve I74. The terminal end 179 of the camsleeve I74 cooperates with the cap mold assembly (not shown) to seal theparison 177 at I80, to permit that portion of the cap between the sealat 180 and the seal formed between the flat seat 163 and the pointedflange 164 to be blown. In the illustrated embodiment, the airpassageway 178 is provided for injecting air into the parison 177 toform this portion of the cap, however, it also can be formed byproviding a number of air openings in the sleeve 161. In this lattercase, that portion of the cap then is blown simultaneously with theblowing ofthe bottle.

The cam sleeve 174, at its upper end, is affixed to the sleeve MI, bymeans of a collar 180 which is threadedly affixed thereto. The collar180 is formed to provide a cavity I81 in which is retained an enlargedflange portion 182 on the end of the cam sleeve I74, and a spring [83which bears against the flange portion 182 on the cam sleeve I74 tonormally forcibly urge it downwardly so as to seat on the bottom wall184 of the cavity 181. In this position, the flexible fingers 167 of thesleeve 16] all are expanded, as illustrated in FIGS. 34 and 37. An airinlet [85 in the sleeve l6l is in communication with the cavity 181, anda source of air is coupled to this air inlet for coupling air throughthe air passageway I78 to blow and thereby form the above-describedportion of the cap.

A second air inlet 186 is provided in the collar I80, and this air inletalso is in communication with the cavity 18! but it is disposed in afashion such that air injected through it into the cavity 184 engagesthe underside of the enlarged flange portion I82 on the end of the camsleeve 274. The cam sleeve I74 is thereby caused to vertically raisewith respect to the sleeve I61. In doing so, its cam surfaces 173slidably engage the cam surfaces [74 on the flexible fingers I67 andcause these [ingers to flex inwardly of the sleeve I61, as can be bestseen in FIGS. 35 and 36. With the flexible fingers I67 in this position.the mandrel 160 can be vertically raised, and the lower end of thesleeve 16] is substantially free to bypass the threads formed on the capwithout causing any substantial damage to them. O-rings 188 and I89 areprovided for sealing the cavity I81 against loss 'of'air.

A filling tube 190 is concentrically and slidably disposed within thesleeve l6l, and is adapted to be vertically raised and lowered. Thelower end of the filling tube normally is closed by means ofa valveplate 191, and the latter is operated by a plunger 192 to open thefilling tube to permit the product to be injected into the blown bottle.

In FIG. 38, there is illustrated still another mandrel 195 which isadaptable for use with a main mold to form a bottle having a threadedneck portion and a cap which is adapted, after being severed, to bethreadedly affixed externally about the neck portion, to reseal thebottle. It is generally well known that the internal diameter d, of thethreads on such a cap must substantially correspond to the outerdiameter d, of the threads on the neck portion of the bottle, to whichthe cap is to be threadedly affixed. When the cap is integrally moldedwith the neck portion of the bottle, as it is proposed in the presentinvention, it is rather difficult to keep or make these diameters d andd, equal and still permit the cap to be easily initially threadedlyengaged with the neck portion. Also, the threads in the cap normally aredamaged, in the manner described above, when the mandrel is withdrawn.

All of these prior problems are overcome with the arrangementillustrated in FIG. 38. [n this case, the mandrel [95 is offset axiallywith respect to the center axis of the bottle I96 by a very smalldistance which can be approximately 0.050 inches. In offsetting themandrel I95 in this manner, its lower terminal end I97 is caused toengage atop the plate 198 which forms the severable flange between thecap and the neck portion of the bottle so as to form a very narrow inwidth flange about a substantial portion of the diameter of its terminalend. The remaining portion of the flange is a relatively wide in widthflange. This can be seen in FIG. 38, where the flange portion 199 isvery narrow in width, whereas the flange portion 200 is relatively widein width. When the cap is severed from the bottle, the narrow in widthflange portion 199 permits at least a portion of the cap threads tothreadedly engage the threads on the neck portion of the bottle, so thatthe cap now is easily threaded onto the bottle. Also, the wide in widthflange portion 200 is relatively thin and is flexible so that it can bedeflected for cap entry.

The offset or eccentrically located mandrel I95 also provides more spacefor the parison, and the terminal end of the mandrel can be withdrawnfrom the blown threaded portion of the cap without causing anysubstantial damage to the threads. Accordingly, the need for flexiblefingers such as the flexible fingers 167 in the sleeve I61 of themandrel I60 shown in FIG. 33 is eliminated. The threads in this case areblown simultaneously with the bottle 196, by means of air passingthrough the air openings 202 in the mandrel.

As indicated above, in some cases it is desirable to form bottles of theabove-described type of a substantially strong plastic material whichcannot be easily severed to remove the caps integrally formed therewith.In FIGS. 39-42, there is illustrated a cap removing device 205 which isadapted to remove the caps in a fashion such as to prevent any of thebottle material from accidentally entering the bottle or its contents,and such that the cap can be used to reclose the bottle.

The cap removing device 205 is a plier-type device including two arms206 and 207 which are fixedly and pivotally affixed together by means ofpivot pin 208 so that they can be closed and opened, as illustrated inFIGS. 39 and 41, respectively. These two arms 206 and 207 arecorrespondingly formed to provide a number, three in the illustratedexample, of generally circular-shaped sockets 210, 211 and 2l2 forreceiving therein neck portions of various diameters. As can be bestseen in FIGS. 40 and 42, each of these sockets 2I0- 212 is threaded, andfurthermore has a cutting blade insert 213, 214 and 2l5 disposed withina recessed pocket thereof, respectively. Stop members 216 and 217 areprovided on the arms 206 and 207, respectively, for preventing the armsfrom closing tightly about the neck portion ofa bottle.

in use, the appropriate one of the sockets 210-212 is selected to fitabout the neck portion 219 ofa bottle 220, as il lustrated in FIG, 42,Preferably the neck portion 219 is not squeezed between the arms 206 and207, but is instead just snugly held, with the threads within the socketthreadedly en gaged with the threads on the neck portion 219. Once theneck portion 219 is captivated within the socket in this fashion, thecap removing device 205 or the bottle 220 is rotated. As can be seen inFIG. 42, the cutting point of the cutting blade insert 215 will engagethe flange connection between the cap 221 and the neck portion 219, andwill sever it as the bottle 220 or the cap removing device 205 is continued to be rotated.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting blade inserts 2l3-215 areshown having relatively sharp cutting points on them In such cases, itis preferred to have these cutting points covered in some fashion, toprevent them from cutting anyone This can be done by inserting thecutting blade inserts with recessed pockets, as illustrated, oralternatively, t] removable handle grip or the like can be slipped overthe arms to cover the sharp cutting points, Normally, however, thesecutting points need not be sharp and therefore no protective means arenecessary, They need not be sharp since only a pushing action ratherthan a cutting action generally is required to remove the caps Agenerally similar type cap removing device which can be, for example,incorporated into a vending machine to remove the caps on the containerscan be constructed by fixedly securing the two arms 206 and 207 inparallel spaced relation In this case, only one socket would be formedat one end of the two arms. The containers would be slidably engaged onthe arms with the latter disposed about the neck portion ofthecontainer, below the cap To remove the container and the cap, thecontainer would be released in any suitable manner presently used torelease the containers when they are purchased. Thereafter, thecontainers are slidably displaced on the two spaced apart arms until thesocket at the one end is reached. The container then is rotated toremove the cap in the manner described above, by rotating it manually orauto matically, The removal of the cap would then permit the containerto be removed from the vending machine,

it will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those madeapparent from the preceding description, are effciently attained andcertain changes may be made in carrying out the above method and in theconstruction set forth. Accordingly, it is intended that all mattercontained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawingsshall be interpreted as illustrative and not in ii l3 niting sense Weclaim:

1. Apparatus for molding, filling and sealing containers from a tube ofthermoplastic material comprising: a pair of relatively movable moldforms for forming a main body portion of the container including thebottom part of the container', a pair of neck jaw mold forms affixedrespectively to said pair of movable mold forms for forming the neckportion of the container and the main body portion ofa cap for saidcontainer; a pair of slidable upper cap forming mold forms for formingthe top of said cap to seal said container; a mandrel including afilling spout, means for introducing said filling spout into the openend of a length of said tube, means associated with said filling spoutfor supplying fluid under pressure into said tube to expand it intocontact with said mold forms to form the main body portion of thecontainer and for supplying a flowable material into the formedcontainer, said mandrel and said pair of neck jaw mold forms havingmeans cooperating to provide a weakened flange connection between theupper end of the neck portion of the container and the cap integrallyformed therewith so as to permit said cap to be severed from saidcontainer by simultaneously twisting and lifting it, or by twisting anddownwardly engaging said cap with said container.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pair of neck jaw mold formshave a flat, horizontally disposed molding surface, and the terminal endof said mandrel has an annular downwardly depending pointed flange whichcooperates with said molding surface to pinch the tube therebetween toform an annular groove in the flange connection between the upper end ofthe neck portion of the container and the cap integrally formedtherewith on the interior of said cap to thereby weaken said flangeconnection to permit said cap to be severed from said container bysimultaneously twisting and lifting it.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said mandrel is adjustably affixedto said filling spout so as to be vertically adjustably displaced withrespect to it to adjust the spacing between the pointed flange on theterminal end thereof and the molding surface on said pair of neck jawmold forms, whereby the depth of said annular groove can be controlled,

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pair of neck jaw mold formsare formed to provide an upstanding pointed annular flange, and theterminal end of said mandrel has a flat horizontally disposed moldingsurface on it which cooperates with said annular flange to pinch thetube therebetween to form an annular groove in the flange connectionbetween the upper end of the neck portion of said container and the capin tcgrally formed therewith on the exterior surface thereof to therebyweaken said flange connection to permit said cap to be severed from saidcontainer by simultaneously twisting and lifting it.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said mandrel is adjustably affixedto said filling spout so as to be vertically adjustably displaced withrespect to it to adjust the spacing between the molding surface on itsterminal end and the annular pointed flange on said pair of neck jawmold forms, whereby the depth ofsaid annular groove can be controlled,

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said neck jaw mold forms areadapted to form an annular recessed groove in the neck portion of saidcontainer, and wherein said mandrel and said neck jaw mold forms areproportioned to form an annular groove in the flange connection betweensaid neck portion of said container and the cap integrally formedtherewith of a diameter such that the peripheral edge of the severedportion ofsaid flange connection which remains integral with said capwhen the latter is severed from said container will snapfittingly engagein said recessed groove in the neck portion of said container to affixsaid cap to said container to reclose it,

7 The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said neck jaw mold forms are adaptedto form an annular recessed groove in the neck portion of saidcontainer, and wherein said mandrel and said neck jaw mold forms areproportioned to form an annular groove in the flange connection betweensaid neck portion of said container and the cap integrally formedtherewith of a diameter such that the peripheral edge of the severedportion of said flange connection which remains integral with said capwhen the latter is severed from said container will map fittingly engagein said recessed groove in the neck portion of said container to affixsaid cap to said container to reclose it.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pair of neck jaw mold formshave an annular pointed flange which is disposed to extend horizontallyinto the mold cavity formed therebetween, and wherein said mandrel has aconical-shaped end portion which tapers inwardly from the top to thebottom thereof, said conical-shaped end portion cooperating with saidannular pointed flange of said pair of neck jaw mold forms to provide asubstantially horizontally disposed recess in the flange connectionbetween the neck portion of said container and the cap integrally formedtherewith, to thereby weaken said flange connection to permit said capto be severed from said container.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pair of neck jaw mold formsare adapted to form interior peripheral threads on the neck portion ofsaid container and have an annular pointed flange which is disposed toextend horizontally into the mold cavity formed therebetween at theterminal edge of said neck portion, a pair of cap forming mold formsaffixed atop said pair of neck jaw mold forms for forming the main bodyportion of a cap and a neck portion having external peripheral threadson it on said main body portion of said cap, said neck portion and thethreads thereon being proportioned to threadably fit into the neckportion of said container to reclose said container when said cap issevered from said container, said pair of slidable upper cap formingmold forms being disposed atop said pair of cap forming mold forms, saidmandrel having a conical-shaped end portion which tapers inwardly fromthe top to the bottom thereof, said conicalshaped end portioncooperating with said annular pointed flange of said pair of neck jawmold forms to provide a substantially horizontally disposed recess in aflange connection between the neck portions of said container and saidcap, to thereby weaken said flange connection to permit said cap to besevered from said container.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pair of neck jaw mold formshave an upstanding annular pointed flange formed on them, and whereinthe terminal end of said mandrel has an annular downwardly dependingpointed flange which cooperates with the annular pointed flange on saidpair of neck jaw mold forms to pinch the tube therebetween to form anannular weakened flange connection between the upper end of the neckportion of the container and the cap integrally formed therewith, topermit said cap to be severed from said container by simultaneouslytwisting and lifting it.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pair of neck jaw mold formsare formed to provide a conical-shaped mold cavity therebetween whichtapers inwardly from the top to the bottom thereof, and wherein the endof said mandrel has a conical-shaped flange on it which tapersdownwardly and outwardly to form a pointed mold surface, said pointedmold surface cooperating with said conical-shaped mold cavity to pinchsaid tube therebetween to form an annular groove in the flangeconnection between the neck portion of the container and the capintegrally formed therewith to thereby weaken said flange connection topermit said cap to be severed from said container.

12. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said neck jaw mold forms areadapted to form peripheral threads on the neck portion of saidcontainer. and wherein said mandrel and said neck jaw mold forms areproportioned to form an annular groove in the flange connection betweensaid neck portion of said container and the cap integrally formedtherewith of a diameter such that the peripheral edge of the severedportion of said flange connection which remains integral with said capwhen the latter is severed from said container will threadedly engagewith the peripheral threads formed on the neck portion of said containerto affix said cap to said container to reclose it.

13. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said neck jaw mold forms areadapted to form peripheral threads on the neck portion of saidcontainer, and wherein said mandrel and said neck jaw mold forms areproportioned to form an annular groove in the flange connection betweensaid neck portion of said container and the cap integrally formedtherewith of a diameter such that the peripheral edge of the severedportion of said flange connection which remains integral with said capwhen the latter is severed from said container will threadedly engagewith the peripheral threads formed on the neck portion of said containerto affix said cap to said container to reclose it.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mandrel comprises a tubularsleeve, the lower terminal end of said sleeve cooperating with said pairof neck jaw mold forms to weaken the flange connection between the upperend of the neck portion of the container and the cap integrally formedtherewith, the sidewalls of said tubular sleeve being formed to providea plurality of flexible fingers therein, a cam surface on each of saidflexible fingers, a cam sleeve slidably concentrically disposed aboutsaid sleeve having a cam surface therein which is disposed to engagesaid cam surfaces on said flexible fingers to cause said flexiblefingers to bend inwardly of said sleeve,

and cam sleeve operating means for operating said cam sleeve to engagethe cam surface therein wlth said cam surfaces on said flexible fingers,said filling spout being slidably disposed within said sleeve.

[5. The apparatus of claim 14, further including an enlarged outwardlyextending flange portion about the upper end of said cam sleeve, acollar removably aflixed to said sleeve having an annular cavity thereinfor receiving and retaining therein the flange portion on said camsleeve to affix the latter to said sleeve, biasing means within saidcavity engaged with said flange portion for normally biasing said camsleeve to disengage the cam surface therein from the cam surfaces onsaid flexible fingers, said cam sleeve operating means operating saidcam sleeve against said biasing means to engage said cam surfaces.

l6. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said biasing means normally biassaid cam sleeve vertically downwardly with respect to said sleeve, anair inlet in said collar in communication with the cavity therein forimpinging air beneath the flange portion on said cam sleeve tovertically raise said cam sleeve with respect to said sleeve to engagethe cam surfaces to bend said flexible fingers, said cam sleeveoperating means comprising a source of air coupled to said air inlet andmeans for controlling the supply of air from said source to said airinlet.

The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said cam sleeve is concentricallydisposed about said sleeve in spaced relation thereto so as to providean air passageway between said sleeve and said cam sleeve which is incommunication with said cavity in said collar, an air inlet in saidsleeve in communication with said cavity in said collar for supplyingair into said cavity and through said air passageway to blow the neckportion of said closure cap, and a source of air coupled to said airinlet in said sleeve.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mandrel is axially offsetwith respect to the center axis of said pair of relatively movable moldforms and said pair of neck jaw mold forms.

[9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mandrel comprises a tubularsleeve, the lower terminal end of said sleeve cooperating with said pairof neck jaw mold forms to weaken the flange connection between the upperend of the neck portion of the container and the cap integrally formedtherewith, the sidewalls of said tubular sleeve being formed to providea plurality of flexible fingers therein, the lower terminal end of saidflexible fingers cooperating with said pair of neck jaw mold forms toform a corresponding number of outwardly extending cavities in the neckportion of a closure cap for receiving therethrough partial threadsformed on the neck portion of a container, a cam surface on each of saidflexible fingers, a cam sleeve slidably concentrically disposed aboutsaid sleeve having a cam surface therein which is disposed to engagesaid cam surfaces on said flexible fingers to cause said flexiblefingers to bend inwardly of said sleeve, and cam sleeve operating meansfor operating said carn sleeve to engage the cam surface therein withsaid cam surfaces on said flexible fingers, said filling spout beingslidably disposed within said sleeve.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mandrel is axially offsetwith respect to the center axis of said pair of relatively movable moldforms and said pair of neck jaw mold forms so as to form a narrow inwidth flange connection about a substantial portion of the diameter ofthe neck portion of a container and a relatively wide in width flangeconnection about the remaining portion of the diameter.

1. Apparatus for molding, filling and sealing containers from a tube ofthermoplastic material comprising: a pair of relatively movable moldforms for forming a main body portion of the container including thebottom part of the container; a pair of neck jaw mold forms affixedrespectively to said pair of movable mold forms for forming the neckportion of the container and the main body portion of a cap for saidcontainer; a pair of slidable upper cap forming mold forms for formingthe top of said cap to seal said container; a mandrel including afilling spout, means for introducing said filling spout into the openend of a length of said tube, means associated with said filling spoutfor supplying fluid under pressure into said tube to expand it intocontact with said mold forms to form the main body portion of thecontainer and for supplying a flowable material into the formedcontainer, said mandrel and said pair of neck jaw mold forms havingmeans cooperating to provide a weakened flange connection between theupper end of the neck portion of the container and the cap integrallyformed therewith so as to permit said cap to be severed from saidcontainer by simultaneously twisting and lifting it, or by twisting anddownwardly engaging said cap with said container.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said pair of neck jaw mold forms have a flat,horizontally disposed molding surface, and the terminal end of saidmandrel has an annular downwardly depending pointed flange whichcooperates with said molding surface to pinch the tube therebetween toform an annular groove in the flange connection between the upper end ofthe neck portion of the container and the cap integrally formedtherewith on the interior of said cap to thereby weaken said flangeconnection to permit said cap to be severed from said container bysimultaneously twisting and lifting it.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2,wherein said mandrel is adjustably affixed to said filling spout so asto be vertically adjustably displaced with respect to it to adjust thespacing between the pointed flange on the terminal end thereof and themolding surface on said pair of neck jaw mold forms, whereby the depthof said annular groove can be controlled.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said pair of neck jaw mold forms are formed to provide anupstanding pointed annular flange, and the terminal end of said mandrelhas a flat horizontally disposed molding surface on it which cooperateswith said annular flange to pinch the tube therebetween to form anannular groove in the flange connection between the upper end of theneck portion of said container and the cap integrally formed therewithon the exterior surface thereof to thereby weaken said flange connectionto permit said cap to be severed from said container by simultaneouslytwisting and lifting it.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein saidmandrel is adjustably affixed to said filling spout so as to bevertically adjustably displaced with respect to it to adjust the spacingbetween the molding surface on its terminal end and the annular pointedflange on said pair of neck jaw mold forms, whereby the depth of saidannular groove can be controlled.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2, whereinsaid neck jaw mold forms are adapted to form an annular recessed groovein the neck portion of said container, and wherein said mandrel and saidneck jaw mold forms are proportioned to form an annular groove in theflange connection between said neck portion of said container and thecap integrally formed therewith of a diameter such that the peripheraledge of the severed portion of said flange connection which remainsintegral with said cap when the latter is severed from said containerwill snap-fittingly engage in said recessed groove in the neck portionof said container to affix said cap to said container to reclose it. 7.The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said neck jaw mold forms are adaptedto form an annular recessed groove in the neck portion of saidcontainer, and wherein said mandrel and said neck jaw mold forms areproportioned to form an annular groove in the flange connection betweensaid neck portion of said container and the cap integrally formedtherewith of a diameter such that the peripheral edge of the severedportion of said flange connection which remains integral with said capwhen the latter is severed from said container will snap-fittinglyengage in said recessed groove in the neck portion of said container toaffix said cap to said container to reclose it.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said pair of neck jaw mold forms have an annularpointed flange which is disposed to extend horizontally into the moldcavity formed therebetween, and wherein said mandrel has aconical-shaped end portion which tapers inwardly from the top to thebottom thereof, said conical-shaped end portion cooperating with saidannular pointed flange of said pair of neck jaw mold forms to provide asubstantially horizontally disposed recess in the flange connectionbetween the neck portion of said container and the cap integrally formedtherewith, to thereby weaken said flange connection to permit said capto be severed from said container.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid pair of neck jaw mold forms are adapted to form interior peripheralthreads on the neck portion of said container and have an annularpointed flange which is disposed to extend horizontally into the moldcavity formed therebetween at the terminal edge of said neck portion, apair of cap forming mold forms affixed atop said pair of nEck jaw moldforms for forming the main body portion of a cap and a neck portionhaving external peripheral threads on it on said main body portion ofsaid cap, said neck portion and the threads thereon being proportionedto threadably fit into the neck portion of said container to reclosesaid container when said cap is severed from said container, said pairof slidable upper cap forming mold forms being disposed atop said pairof cap forming mold forms, said mandrel having a conical-shaped endportion which tapers inwardly from the top to the bottom thereof, saidconical-shaped end portion cooperating with said annular pointed flangeof said pair of neck jaw mold forms to provide a substantiallyhorizontally disposed recess in a flange connection between the neckportions of said container and said cap, to thereby weaken said flangeconnection to permit said cap to be severed from said container.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said pair of neck jaw mold forms have anupstanding annular pointed flange formed on them, and wherein theterminal end of said mandrel has an annular downwardly depending pointedflange which cooperates with the annular pointed flange on said pair ofneck jaw mold forms to pinch the tube therebetween to form an annularweakened flange connection between the upper end of the neck portion ofthe container and the cap integrally formed therewith, to permit saidcap to be severed from said container by simultaneously twisting andlifting it.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pair of neck jawmold forms are formed to provide a conical-shaped mold cavitytherebetween which tapers inwardly from the top to the bottom thereof,and wherein the end of said mandrel has a conical-shaped flange on itwhich tapers downwardly and outwardly to form a pointed mold surface,said pointed mold surface cooperating with said conical-shaped moldcavity to pinch said tube therebetween to form an annular groove in theflange connection between the neck portion of the container and the capintegrally formed therewith to thereby weaken said flange connection topermit said cap to be severed from said container.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein said neck jaw mold forms are adapted to form peripheralthreads on the neck portion of said container, and wherein said mandreland said neck jaw mold forms are proportioned to form an annular groovein the flange connection between said neck portion of said container andthe cap integrally formed therewith of a diameter such that theperipheral edge of the severed portion of said flange connection whichremains integral with said cap when the latter is severed from saidcontainer will threadedly engage with the peripheral threads formed onthe neck portion of said container to affix said cap to said containerto reclose it.
 13. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said neck jaw moldforms are adapted to form peripheral threads on the neck portion of saidcontainer, and wherein said mandrel and said neck jaw mold forms areproportioned to form an annular groove in the flange connection betweensaid neck portion of said container and the cap integrally formedtherewith of a diameter such that the peripheral edge of the severedportion of said flange connection which remains integral with said capwhen the latter is severed from said container will threadedly engagewith the peripheral threads formed on the neck portion of said containerto affix said cap to said container to reclose it.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said mandrel comprises a tubular sleeve, the lowerterminal end of said sleeve cooperating with said pair of neck jaw moldforms to weaken the flange connection between the upper end of the neckportion of the container and the cap integrally formed therewith, theside walls of said tubular sleeve being formed to provide a plurality offlexible fingers therein, a cam surface on each of said flexiblefingers, a cam sleeve slidably concentrically disposed about said sleevehaving a cam suRface therein which is disposed to engage said camsurfaces on said flexible fingers to cause said flexible fingers to bendinwardly of said sleeve, and cam sleeve operating means for operatingsaid cam sleeve to engage the cam surface therein with said cam surfaceson said flexible fingers, said filling spout being slidably disposedwithin said sleeve.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further including anenlarged outwardly extending flange portion about the upper end of saidcam sleeve, a collar removably affixed to said sleeve having an annularcavity therein for receiving and retaining therein the flange portion onsaid cam sleeve to affix the latter to said sleeve, biasing means withinsaid cavity engaged with said flange portion for normally biasing saidcam sleeve to disengage the cam surface therein from the cam surfaces onsaid flexible fingers, said cam sleeve operating means operating saidcam sleeve against said biasing means to engage said cam surfaces. 16.The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said biasing means normally bias saidcam sleeve vertically downwardly with respect to said sleeve, an airinlet in said collar in communication with the cavity therein forimpinging air beneath the flange portion on said cam sleeve tovertically raise said cam sleeve with respect to said sleeve to engagethe cam surfaces to bend said flexible fingers, said cam sleeveoperating means comprising a source of air coupled to said air inlet andmeans for controlling the supply of air from said source to said airinlet.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said cam sleeve isconcentrically disposed about said sleeve in spaced relation thereto soas to provide an air passageway between said sleeve and said cam sleevewhich is in communication with said cavity in said collar, an air inletin said sleeve in communication with said cavity in said collar forsupplying air into said cavity and through said air passageway to blowthe neck portion of said closure cap, and a source of air coupled tosaid air inlet in said sleeve.
 18. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid mandrel is axially offset with respect to the center axis of saidpair of relatively movable mold forms and said pair of neck jaw moldforms.
 19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said mandrel comprises atubular sleeve, the lower terminal end of said sleeve cooperating withsaid pair of neck jaw mold forms to weaken the flange connection betweenthe upper end of the neck portion of the container and the capintegrally formed therewith, the side walls of said tubular sleeve beingformed to provide a plurality of flexible fingers therein, the lowerterminal end of said flexible fingers cooperating with said pair of neckjaw mold forms to form a corresponding number of outwardly extendingcavities in the neck portion of a closure cap for receiving therethroughpartial threads formed on the neck portion of a container, a cam surfaceon each of said flexible fingers, a cam sleeve slidably concentricallydisposed about said sleeve having a cam surface therein which isdisposed to engage said cam surfaces on said flexible fingers to causesaid flexible fingers to bend inwardly of said sleeve, and cam sleeveoperating means for operating said cam sleeve to engage the cam surfacetherein with said cam surfaces on said flexible fingers, said fillingspout being slidably disposed within said sleeve.
 20. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said mandrel is axially offset with respect to thecenter axis of said pair of relatively movable mold forms and said pairof neck jaw mold forms so as to form a narrow in width flange connectionabout a substantial portion of the diameter of the neck portion of acontainer and a relatively wide in width flange connection about theremaining portion of the diameter.